THE UNKINDEST CUT!

CIE Catering Staff are being encouraged to cut back on the cost of feeding prison inmates as part of their bonus incentive scheme. We are informed that CIE currently receives more than $4 per inmate per day to cover the cost of meals, but Catering Staff in the Wellington Region will only qualify for their annual bonus payment if they are able to feed inmates for $3.50 per day or less.

From CANZ's perspective, this is an absolutely outrageous initiative, because it places an unrealistic and unreasonable expectation on staff covered by the proposal. The powers of the prison grapevine are legendary and it's reasonable to assume that when inmates get wind of this particular plan, it will be perceived as the "unkindest cut of all".

It is fair to suggest that they will consider it to be at best provocative and, at worst, downright confrontational. They are likely to react accordingly and this could well impact on both catering staff and Corrections Officers. This is a hair-brained scheme that has no place in Public Prisons. If CIE want to save money, then we strongly recommend that they look elsewhere: After all, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out that the quickest way to an inmate's heart (and the breaking thereof) is through his/her stomach.

Brian Davies
National Organiser